How does this flow sensor interface with ChipworkX?

[gbsjoe]

This IP80 Flow Sensor described at the hyperlink locations below does not make it clear to me what interface it uses.
http://www.seametrics.com/flow_meter/ip80.html
http://www.seametrics.com/pdf/ip80.pdf

How can I use the .Net Micro Framework to interface with this device? GPIO, RS232...??

[SupportAdmin]

In general, the answer is same to your other question. This sensor look like to have hall effect sensor built in but it doesn't specify the output.

Let me ask you this:
1. What is that you are trying to do?
2. Do you own ChipworkX?
3. What kind of experience you have?

Maybe answering these questions will help us in directing you to what you need

[gbsjoe]

I am trying to read the pulses sent by the flow sensor. I do not yet have a ChipworkX board, but that is the board that will be used. I am a C# developer with very very little hardware knowledge (thus the poorly asked questions). The person in charge of hardware tells me that this flow sensor uses a "Pulse" interface. I am confused because I don't see the "Pulse" interface as one that is supported by the ChipworkX board or supported by the .Net Micro Framework. When looking at the .Net Micro Framework libraries I only see GPIO, RS232... and other interfaces, but not "Pulse".

[SupportAdmin]

ok now I understand. The "pulse" is not really an interface here, it is just a pulse! The faster the current flows the more pulses you get per second. What you do in this case, is take those pulses and generate an analog value using s simple RC circuit. Once you have the analog value and it is scaled 0 to 3.3V then you can use a hardware to measure the voltage to determine the current flow. ChipworkX doesn't have analog inputs so you may want to use EMX instead. Or, you can add ADC chip to ChipworkX to measure analog but this requires more hardware work.

Before all that, you should get you a system to get familiar with NETMF. Also, take a look at FEZ http://www.tinyclr.com/

[gbsjoe]

Thank you so much for that explanation. That really helps.

This newbie is one step ahead though, because I just got the FEZ mini starter kit in the mail. Let the games begin!!!